8th February 2018
With a focus on consolidating and growing Irish exports to the UK, the report highlights strong opportunities in construction, life sciences, digital technology and cleantech in the north of England, which is growing faster than any other part of the UK
Report welcomed by UK Minister for the Northern Powerhouse Jake Berry MP
Thursday, 8 February 2018: Reaffirming Ireland’s important trading relationship with the UK, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, today launched Enterprise Ireland’s Northern Powerhouse report. The report highlights the strong business opportunities in construction, life sciences, digital technology and cleantech for Irish companies in the north of England, an area which is growing faster than any other part of the UK.
The Northern Powerhouse is a UK Government economic initiative to rebalance the UK’s national economy, by maximizing the combined potential of the north of England’s cities and city regions, including Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield and Tees Valley. If this region was a European country, it would be the 10th largest economy in Europe.
The UK’s Northern Powerhouse is delivering a substantial programme of investment and regeneration to the north of England, with a focus on improving connectivity through improved transport infrastructure between the cities, and supporting economic activities around emerging strengths and capabilities, particularly in science, innovation, advanced manufacturing, digital, energy, life sciences and healthcare. As a result, the Northern Powerhouse initiative is creating a wide range of opportunities for businesses both within the region and externally.
Launching the report today, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD said: “The UK is Ireland’s number one export market, with Enterprise Ireland clients exporting €7.5 billion exports, representing 35% of total client exports in 2016. As long-standing trading partners, the UK is, and will remain, the largest export market for indigenous Irish companies. As Brexit negotiations continue, the Irish Government and our export agency Enterprise Ireland are committed to consolidating and growing Irish exports to the UK now and into the future. Enterprise Ireland’s Northern Powerhouse Report underscores the extent of the business and partnership opportunities for Irish companies, with the north of England, an area that is growing at a significant rate and outpacing all other parts of the UK.”
Welcoming the launch of the Northern Powerhouse Report, UK Minister for the Northern Powerhouse, Jake Berry MP said: “The Northern Powerhouse is about driving business, skills and economic growth in the north of England, positioning the region as a globally recognised economy. We are achieving this through a major programme of investment, collaborations and partnerships to drive economic growth and rebalance the UK economy. I welcome the publication of Enterprise Ireland’s Northern Powerhouse report which sets out the extent of the business opportunities between Ireland and the Northern Powerhouse region. Irish companies have been very successfully doing business in the north of England and I welcome further collaboration that will drive the economy of the region while delivering important export opportunities to Irish companies.”
Speaking at the launch of the report in Dublin today, Julie Sinnamon, Enterprise Ireland CEO said “Enterprise Ireland is actively supporting Irish companies to respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by Brexit. While we are focused on encouraging businesses to have a more diversified market strategy, the UK is Ireland’s most significant export market and in parallel, we are focused on supporting Irish companies to consolidate and grow their exports to the UK and diversify in the UK market, seeking opportunities beyond the traditional regions and sectors. The opportunities set out in the Northern Powerhouse report play to the strengths of a large cohort of Irish companies, particularly in the construction, life sciences, and digital sectors along with collaboration on scientific research and innovation projects. We have increased our resources in the UK to help exporting Irish companies to navigate and seize the potential, and we will play a central role to support Irish companies to achieve their export potential and a more diversified approach to the UK.”
To view the Northern Powerhouse Report, visit:www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Publications/Reports-Published-Strategies/
ENDS
Photographs will be issued by Fennell Photography
For reference, please contact: Conor O’Donovan, Head of Communications, Enterprise Ireland Marika MacCarvill, Press & PR, Enterprise Ireland
Notes to Editor:
About Enterprise Ireland Enterprise Ireland is the government organisation responsible for the development and growth of Irish enterprises in world markets. We work in partnership with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. In this way, we support sustainable economic growth, regional development and secure employment.
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